MZUSP 2271 (field code, F3226), sexually mature: Parque Estadual da Serra de Tabuleiro, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil (-27.94, -48.79). coll. F. Carbayo and co-workers, 11 January 2009; transverse sections of the cephalic region on 6 slides; horizontal sections of the portion behind the cephalic extremity on 4 slides; transverse sections of the pre-pharyngeal region on 6 slides; sagittal sections of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 17 slides.

Municipality of Blumenau and Parque Estadual da Serra de Tabuleiro, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Choeradoplana species with yellow green background color, with three thin discontinuous longitudinal black lines; ventral side is zinc-yellow. Copulatory apparatus compact, without penis papilla; female atrium funnel-shaped.

The preserved specimen measures 22 mm long and 2.5 mm wide (Fig. 2A). The body is slender and subcylindrical. The cephalic region is differentiated from the remaining body by means of a ‘neck’, laterally dilated and rolled up so that the ventral surface is provided with glandular cushions, and is facing out (Fig. 2B); the posterior extremity is pointed. The creeping sole is 90% of body width at the pre-pharyngeal region. The mouth is positioned at a distance from the anterior extremity equal to 60% of the body length, and the gonopore is at 74%.

The dorsal coloration consists of a yellow green (RAL 1018) background color, with three thin discontinuous longitudinal lines of small black spots. These spots are less concentrated in the median line (Fig. 2A). The ventral side is zinc yellow (RAL 1018), except for a silver grey (RAL 7001) spot on the glandular cushions (Fig. 2A).

The eyes are formed by one pigmented cup of 80 μm in diameter (Fig. 2C). There are no clear halos around them. Eyes are absent in the very anterior extremity of the body; at 1.5 mm behind the anterior tip the eyes are marginally distributed in a row of two or three eyes; 3.8 mm posterior to the anterior tip, the eyes are placed in a single marginal row which runs along the whole body until posterior extremity, with each eye at a distance of ~ 0.3 mm from each other (Fig. 2B).

Sensory pits are 25 μm deep (Fig. 2C, arrowhead), and are distributed ventro-laterally in a uniserial row between ~ 0.4 mm behind the anterior extremity to at least the ovarian level.

Numerous rhabditogen cells discharge through the glandular cushions of the cephalic region. These cells are scarce in the dorsal epidermis. Abundant erythrophil gland cells pierce the dorsal and marginal epithelium in the pre-pharyngeal region. The entire epithelium is additionally pierced by scarce gland cells of two types, producing cyanophil and xanthophil granules, respectively. No glandular margin.

The cutaneous musculature of the pre-pharyngeal region comprises a subepithelial circular muscle, followed by a diagonal layer with decussate fibers, and a longitudinal muscle organized in tight bundles (Figs 2D, 3A). This longitudinal muscle is 70 μm thick dorsally; it is ventrally divided into a 35 μm-thick muscle, organized in bundles with 4–8 fibers each, and a 50 μm-thick muscle sunken into the parenchyma consisting of scattered bundles with 5–12 fibers each (Fig. 3B). The thickness of the cutaneous muscle coat is 17% of the body height.

There are three parenchymal muscle layers in the pre-pharyngeal region (Fig. 3A, B): a well-developed dorsal layer of diagonal, decussate fibers (12–18 μm thick); a transverse supra-intestinal muscle (22–25 μm); and a transverse subintestinal muscle (30–35 μm).

The ventral longitudinal cutaneous muscle is modified into the retractor muscle in the cephalic region. This retractor muscle is delta-shaped in cross-section along 0.7 mm (or 3% of body length), starting 0.2 mm (or 1%) from the anterior extremity of the body (Fig. 3C), and its thickness is 24% of the height of the cephalic region. The dorsal decussate and subintestinal parenchymal muscles in this region are weak, whereas the supra-intestinal is strongly developed and mixed with dorso-ventral muscle fibers giving rise to the Muskelgeflecht or interwoven muscle, and is 75 μm in thickness. A fourth subneural parenchymal muscle is present in the cephalic region, and is located beneath the central nerve system and above the retractor muscle. The paired glandular cushions are pierced by numerous rhabditogen cells. The arrangement of cutaneous and parenchymal muscles in the cephalic region and the glandular component of the cephalic cushions match those of the type species of the genus, Choeradoplana iheringi Graff, 1899.

The mouth is located in the middle of the pharyngeal pouch (Fig. 4A). It is a bell-shaped pharynx, with the dorsal insertion posterior to the ventral insertion ~ 45% of the pharyngeal length. An esophagus is not present. The pharyngeal pouch is lined with a non-ciliated, cuboidal-to-flat epithelium, underlain by a one-fiber thick layer of longitudinal muscle, followed by a 10 μm-thick layer of circular muscle. The outer pharyngeal epithelium is cuboidal, ciliated, underlain by a longitudinal muscle (7.5 μm thick), followed by a circular muscle (45 μm thick) with interspersed longitudinal fibers; the inner epithelium is flat, ciliated, underlain by a circular muscle (62 μm thick) with interspersed longitudinal fibers. Numerous erythrophil and xanthophil gland cells open and discharge their contents through the distal portion of the pharynx.

The testes are dorsal, located between the intestinal diverticula, with some of them reaching the parenchymal supra-intestinal transverse muscle (Figs 2D, 3A). The testes are arranged in two paramedian rows. They extend from 1 mm behind the level of the ovaries (30% of body length) to 1.2 mm from the root of the pharynx. Sperm ducts run straight and immediately above the subintestinal parenchymatic muscle. They distally penetrate the anterior region of the common muscle coat (Fig. 4B, C) to open into the proximal portion of the paired branches of the prostatic vesicle. The prostatic vesicle consists of a proximal half of these paired branches and a distal unpaired half. This vesicle runs postero-dorsally to open into the dorso-anterior section of the male atrium. An ejaculatory duct and penis papilla are absent (Figs 4C, 5A). The penis bulb is thick and consists of numerous muscle fibers continuous with those underlying the epithelium of the male atrium. The prostatic vesicle is lined with a columnar-to-cuboidal epithelium, underlain by a thin longitudinal muscle (5 μm thick), followed by a 30 μm-thick circular muscle interspersed with longitudinal fibers. The paired portion of the prostatic vesicle receives abundant erythrophil and xanthophil granules from the respective gland cells, while the unpaired portion receives abundant cyanophil and xanthophil granules.

The male atrium is long and narrow with folded walls. The proximal third of the atrium runs postero-dorsally; distal two-thirds runs ventrally almost vertically above the gonopore canal. The atrium is lined by a cuboidal-non-ciliated epithelium, and underlain by an 80 μm-thick circular muscle with interspersed longitudinal fibers. The male atrium is 1.2× longer than the female atrium.

The ovaries are mature, ovoid, and 200 μm in length. They are located above the ventral nerve plate at a distance from the anterior body tip equal to 25% of its body length (5.5 mm from anterior tip). Ovovitelline ducts emerge from the dorso-lateral aspect of the ovaries, where-after they run backwards above the ventral nerve plate. The ducts bend medially, posteriorly to the female atrium, and subsequently ascend vertically and medially to communicate with each other above the postero-dorsal section of the female atrium (Fig. 5B). The ovovitelline ducts open directly into a very short female genital canal lined by a cuboidal ciliated epithelium. A small number of small shell gland cells can be spotted around the junction of the two ovovitelline ducts.

The female atrium is funnel-shaped, not folded, and lined by a ciliated columnar-to-cuboidal epithelium, which is surrounded by circular muscle fibers with interspersed longitudinal fibers. This muscle is continuous with the common muscle coat. Most of the abundant gland cells discharging into the female atrium have a fine granular xanthophil and erythrophil secretion. The length:height ratio of the copulatory apparatus enveloped by the common muscle coat is 1.4:1.

On the identity of our specimen. Schultze and Müller (1857) described Geoplana tristriata from near Blumenau, in the State of Santa Catarina. The original description reads: “Geoplana tristriata, pale yellowish-green, with three narrow, dark, longitudinal lines on the back; belly paler. Greatest breadth at approx. the second third part of the length, where the mouth is situated. It likes to bend the head upwards. At the point of curvature on each side there is a closed packed group of eye-spots, which are continued in an irregular series to the posterior extremity. The anterior margin of the head appears to be destitute of eyes. Length 1 1/2 inch [38.1 mm]; breadth 1 1/2 line [3.81 mm]. Abundant.”

There is no record of the deposition of the type series. It was probably not preserved. Our specimen was collected 115 km south from the type locality, and matches Schultze and Müller’s species in all characteristics. The conspecificity of our specimen could be questioned since the copulatory apparatus is the most important organ assuring identification in triclads. However, this species combines a set of unusual features among Geoplanins: the color pattern of the body, the cephalic region bent to the dorsal side (actually only found in Choeradoplana and Cephaloflexa among Geoplaninae), and the absence of eyes in the very anterior tip of the body. Schultze and Müller’s and our specimen sharing these uncommon attributes supports their conspecificity.

The species redescribed herein also matches all diagnostic characteristics of Choeradoplana and should therefore be transferred to this genus. The species is unique in the external aspect in that there are no other species of Choeradoplana with dorsal green color with three longitudinal dark stripes. Internally, Choeradoplana bilix Marcus, 1951; Ch. crassiphalla Negrete & Brusa, 2012; Ch. langi (Dendy, 1894); and Ch. marthae Froehlich, 1955 are similar to Ch. tristriata in the compact aspect of the copulatory apparatus, having a length:height ratio equivalent to 1.8:1 or less, as calculated in drawings (du Bois-Reymond Marcus 1951; Marcus 1951; Froehlich 1959; Negrete and Brusa 2012). However, Ch. bilix, Ch. crassiphalla and Ch. marthae possess a penis papilla (vs. absent in Ch. tristriata), and the female atrium of Ch. langi is a narrow canal (vs. a funnel-shaped cavity).

The identity of Graff’s specimen and subsequent taxonomic actions. Herman von Ihering collected one specimen in Taquara, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, which he identified as a member of this species. Ihering sent it to Graff (1899), who endorsed his identification, but only provided a description of the external aspect. Froehlich (1959) disagreed with Ihering’s identification because of the body shape, the relative position of the mouth, and the different width of the paramedian dorsal stripes. Froehlich concluded that both Schultze and Müller’s and Graff’s species remain obscure (Froehlich 1959), but did not propose taxonomic changes. Ogren and Kawakatsu (1990) considered Schultze and Müller’s and Graff’s specimens conspecific, and transferred the species to the Pseudogeoplana collective genus, which houses species lacking information about the internal organs, especially the copulatory apparatus. We agree with Froehlich’s opinion that Graff’s species is different from Schultze and Müller’s species. Accordingly, we propose the name Pseudogeoplana aevipandemiae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. for Graff’s species. The specific epithet means ‘from the times of the pandemic’. The epithet alludes to the COVID-19 pandemic and is intended to keep the memory of the negative effects caused by the long months of closure of the laboratories for the conclusion of this paper.

We did not find Graff’s specimen in the museums where part of this collection was disseminated (Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel; Museum of Natural History, Vienna; Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt; Zoological Museum, Hamburg; Natural History Museum, London). Therefore, we consider Graff’s specimen lost.

Holotype SMF N° 702, sexually mature: Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, coll. E. Bresslau, April 9^th, 1914; transverse sections of a body portion seemingly being close to the anterior tip of the body on 1 slide; sagittal sections of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 1 slide; anterior and posterior tips in Canada balsam on 1 slide.

Reserva Biológica Augusto Ruschi, municipality of Santa Teresa, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. May 26–27^th, 2008. MZUSP PL 1109 (field code, F2313), only anterior half of the body collected: transverse sections of anterior extremity on 10 slides; sagittal sections of a portion behind anterior extremity on 5 slides; horizontal sections containing testes on 32 slides. MZUSP PL 1113 (field code, F2391), sexually mature: transverse sections of anterior extremity on 9 slides; sagittal sections of ovaries and testes on 6 slides; sagittal sections of pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 11 slides.

Parque Estadual do Desengano, municipality of Santa Maria Madalena, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. August 10–13^th, 2009. MZUSP PL 2273 (field code, F3991), juvenile: horizontal sections of anterior extremity on 3 slides. MZUSP PL 2153 (field code, F4031), sexually mature: transverse sections of anterior extremity on 12 slides; horizontal sections of ovaries on 22 slides; transverse sections of pre-pharyngeal region on 4 slides; sagittal sections of pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 8 slides; horizontal sections of posterior extremity on 4 slides. MZUSP PL 2152 (field code, F4024), sexually mature: horizontal sections of anterior extremity on 7 slides; sagittal sections of ovaries on 19 slides; horizontal sections of testes on 21 slides; transverse sections of pre-pharyngeal region on 9 slides; sagittal sections of pre-pharyngeal region on 12 slides; sagittal sections of copulatory apparatus on 12 slides. MZUSP PL 1083 (field code, F4081), sexually mature: transverse sections of anterior extremity on 55 slides; sagittal sections of the ovaries on 25 slides; horizontal sections of testes on 9 slides; transverse sections of pre-pharyngeal region on 6 slides; sagittal sections of pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 38 slides; horizontal sections of posterior extremity on 24 slides.

Reserva Biológica Augusto Ruschi, Santa Teresa, State of Espírito Santo; Parque Estadual do Desengano, Santa Maria Madalena, State of Rio de Janeiro; Municipality of Teresópolis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Choeradoplana species with a white dorsum, covered by a wide median black band, darker at its margins; an additional thin black median stripe may be present. The anterior third of the body is progressively thinner towards the pointed tip; its extremity has no lateral dilations or “neck” differentiating the head from the body. The ventral side of the cephalic region is concave and without glandular cushions. The proximal third of the prostatic vesicle is extrabulbar. The copulatory apparatus is relatively long; penis papilla is absent, and the female atrium is approximately funnel-shaped.

Living specimens range between 50–63 mm in length and 2–3 mm in width (n = 2). Preserved specimens range between 45–73 mm in length and 2–4 mm in width (n = 4). The body is slender and subcylindrical, with the anterior third becoming progressively thinner to the anterior tip. The anterior extremity is very thin and coiled up so that the ventral surface is facing out (Fig. 6A, B). The ventral side of the cephalic region is slightly concave with indistinct glandular cushions (Fig. 6B–D). The posterior extremity is pointed. The creeping sole is 80–86% of width in the pre-pharyngeal region (n = 3) (Fig. 7A). Its mouth is at a distance from the anterior extremity ranging between 50.9–64.4% of body length, gonopore at 63.2–75.3% (n = 3).

The background color of the body is traffic white (RAL 9016). It is dorsally covered by a wide graphite black (RAL 9011) band, darker at its margins, as wide as three-quarters of the body width, in the middle of which runs a thin jet black (RAL 9005) stripe which is not apparent in some individuals. Anterior and posterior extremities of the body are slightly orangish. The color has faded out in preserved specimens. The dorsal graphite black band in the body tips of the holotype split into two brownish stripes.

The eyes are of one-pigment cup type, 25–45 µm in diameter; with no clear halos. They are marginally distributed in an irregular row of 2–6 eyes, from the anterior tip of the body (Figs 6B, C, 7A), backwards to the posterior end. Anterior extremity devoid of eyes.

The sensory pits are 22–27 μm deep and ventro-laterally are distributed in a single row along approximately the anterior one-seventh of the body. The pits are absent at the very anterior tip of the body (300 µm).

Numerous rhabditogen cells open onto the dorsal surface of the body (Fig. 7B) in the pre-pharyngeal region and its margins; these margins are also pierced by scarce gland cells producing granular, erythrophil secretion. The ventral epithelium is pierced by scarce gland cells producing granular, xanthophil secretion, and abundant gland cells producing strong erythrophil secretion (Fig. 7C). There is no glandular margin.

The cutaneous musculature consists of a subepithelial circular muscle, followed by a diagonal layer with decussate fibers, and a strong longitudinal muscle organized in bundles (Fig. 7A–C). This longitudinal muscle is 81.2–175 μm thick dorsally; it is ventrally divided into a 37.5–50.0 μm-thick muscle, organized in bundles with 20–35 fibers each, and an equally thick muscle sunken into the parenchyma, and constituted by scattered bundles with 7–30 fibers each (Fig. 7B). A few dorsal longitudinal fibers are medially intermingled with those of the parenchymatic dorsal layer of diagonal decussate fibers. The thickness of the cutaneous muscle coat is 22–25% (n = 3) of the body height.

The pre-pharyngeal region, namely the dorsal decussate muscle (40–55 μm thick, n = 2), transverse supra-intestinal muscle (74–100 μm); and transverse subintestinal muscle (45–65 μm) (n = 2) (Fig. 7A–C).

The retractor muscle of the head is delta-shaped in a cross-section along 0.3 mm (or 0.5% of body length) from behind, 0.1 mm (or 0.15%) of the anterior extremity of the body (Fig. 7C), and its thickness equals 36% of the height of the cephalic region. The Muskelgeflecht is 18–25 μm thick (24% of body height). The subneural parenchymal muscle consists of a few scarce transverse fibers. The glandular cushions are composed of a relatively small quantity of rhabditogen cells (Fig. 7D–F).

The mouth is located at a distance from the anterior section of the pharyngeal pouch ranging between 55.1–78.9% (n = 4) (Fig. 8A). The pharynx is bell-shaped with dorsal insertion near the mouth level. An esophagus is absent. The outer epithelium of the pharynx is cuboidal, ciliated and underlain by a thin longitudinal muscle (3–5 μm); followed by a circular muscle (15–20 μm) with interspersed longitudinal fibers. The inner pharyngeal epithelium is ciliated, underlain by a circular muscle (50 µm thick; n = 3) with longitudinal fibers interspersed. There is abundant granular secretion of three types, cyanophil, erythrophil, and xanthophil, respectively, and pierce the distal pharyngeal epithelium.

The testes are dorsal, located under the supra-intestinal transverse muscle layer, partially placed between the intestinal diverticula. They extend from the level of the ovaries (a distance from the anterior extremity of the body equal to 27% of the body length) to nearly the root of pharynx (53% of the body length). Sperm ducts run immediately above the subintestinal muscle layer, dorsally and slightly laterally to the ovovitelline ducts. Distal portions of sperm ducts contain sperm, and are surrounded by a circular muscle. Sperm ducts communicate with the two roughly horizontal branches of the extrabulbar portion of the prostatic vesicle. These branches open laterally into an irregular, pear-shaped cavity, which is located more or less under the anterior section of the penis bulb (Figs 8B, C, 9A–C). The prostatic vesicle continues as an almost vertical, tubular portion inside the very dense penis bulb to bend posteriorly towards a loose small ring-shaped horizontal fold (or ‘small penis-shaped fold’, after Riester 1938) which may be narrowed and elongated as a finger (Fig. 8B, arrow). This fold gives passage to the male atrium. The penis bulb is very thick and consists of very numerous muscle fibers which are continuous with those underlying the epithelium of the male atrium. There is no ejaculatory duct as a differentiated portion. The prostatic vesicle is lined with a columnar, ciliated epithelium. The very abundant secretions discharging into it are zoned along the prostatic vesicle: paired branches receive very fine granular erythrophil and pink-reddish staining secretion; the dilated portion takes gross granular erythrophil intensely reddish staining secretion; a proximal intrabulbar portion receives finely erythrophil secretion; the distal section takes both finely cyanophil granular secretion and xanthophil variously sized secretion granules (Fig. 9B). The extrabulbar portion is surrounded by interwoven muscle fibers, and the intrabulbar portion by a muscular layer of circular fibers interspersed with longitudinal ones, both portions are 20–35 μm thick. The loose small ring-shaped horizontal fold is lined with a 3–6 μm high non-ciliated epithelium and is surrounded by a few seemingly circular muscle fibers.

The proximal half of the male atrium is slightly folded and narrow. The distal half is ample and is narrowed distally by a large, dorsal fold extending through both the male and female atria. The stroma of this fold is strongly muscularized with longitudinal and oblique fibers. Additional lateral folds may be present in the distal half (Figs 8B, C, 9B).

The proximal half of the male atrium is lined with a 5 μm high non-ciliated, infra-nucleated epithelium which is pierced by scarce gland cells producing fine erythrophil granules, and by gland cells producing variously sized xanthophil granules. This epithelium is surrounded by a 20–60 μm-thick dense muscle of very thin muscle fibers (2 μm); followed by a muscle (< 150 μm thick) of 4 μm-thick fibers. The distal half of the male atrium is lined with an epithelium which is pierced by gland cells producing erythrophil granules. An intensely reddish erythrophil is found beneath this epithelium secretion. The lining epithelium of the distal half of the male atrium is surrounded by a circular muscle (18–45 μm); followed by a longitudinal muscle (80–150 μm) (n = 3).

A spermatophore is in the stroma of the large dorsal fold leveled with the gonopore in three specimens (F2391, F4024, F4081) (Fig. 8B, C). The spermatophore is ovoid in shape, with approximately 150 μm in diameter, and seems to be constituted of a central mass of sperm partially surrounded by irregular strands of erythrophil granules. The biological meaning of the position of the spermatophore will be discussed elsewhere.

The ovaries are mature, very elongated, and club-shaped due to the dilated proximal extremity. The thin portion can be divided into smaller segments. The size of the ovaries ranges between 700–1200 µm in length and 120–170 µm in width (n = 4). They are located above the ventral nerve plate, and at a distance from the anterior extremity equal to 27.1–31.3% of the body length (n = 2). Ovovitelline ducts emerge from the dorso-lateral aspect of the ovaries and run above the nerve plate. The proximal segment of the oviducts is dilated and contains sperm (n = 4). They ascend posteriorly and medially laterally to the female atrium, then unite dorsally to the common glandular ovovitelline duct (Fig. 9A–C). The distal portion of the oviducts is pierced by shell gland cells. The common glandular ovovitelline duct is downwards directed; it is continuous with a posteriorly and upward directed diverticulum of the female atrium, i.e., the female genital canal. The female atrium is roughly funnel-shaped, narrowed by a large dorsal fold continued with that of the male atrium. The female genital duct is lined with epithelial cells, with the apical portion containing fine erythrophil granules, and is surrounded by a thin layer of circular and longitudinal muscle fibers.

The female atrium is lined with a columnar, non-ciliated epithelium, and is pierced by two types of cells producing erythrophil and cyanophil granular secretions, respectively. The female atrium is as long as half the male atrium. The common muscular coat of the copulatory apparatus is composed of a weak layer of intermingled fibers; it is 20–40 μm thick in the anterior section, and thinner in the posterior section. The length:height ratio of the copulatory apparatus enveloped by the common muscle coat ranges between 3.0–3.5:1 (n = 5; mean 3.2:1).

Creeping on the Petri dish, the animals sometimes rise up to three-quarters of the body from the substrate and swing to the sides as they would be searching for ground. When touched, they can react by tumbling. A similar behavior, named ‘escape reaction’, was observed for Ch. marthae by Froehlich (1959).

This species was originally described as Geoplana albonigra Riester, 1938, from Teresópolis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The external aspect and the internal morphology of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus were given in the original description. The species was later transferred to the recently proposed new genus Notogynaphallia Ogren & Kawakatsu, 1990, erected for species of Geoplaninae without penis papilla and dorsally located female genital canal. Based on morphological and molecular information, Carbayo et al. (2013) transferred the species to Choeradoplana, but they did not provide morphological evidence supporting that taxonomic decision.

On the identity of our specimens. Our specimens and the holotype of Ch. albonigra are much alike, with the exception of the size of the male and female atria. Whereas the male and female atria are relatively narrow in the holotype, these atria are higher in two out of four mature individuals. Differences of the same nature have been observed in other land planarians (e.g., Pasipha pasipha (Marcus, 1951); Obama josefi (Carbayo & Leal-Zanchet, 2001)), and this might be caused by different states of maturation of each specimen, albeit all being mature, or by the physiological state of the individuals such as a recent copulation, as seems to be the case of the specimens bearing a spermatophore.

The systematic position of Ch. albonigra. Riester described the species from a single individual and assigned the species to Geoplana. In Riester’s description, there is no reference to the inner structures of the cephalic region, nor to the cutaneous muscle coat. The cephalic region of the holotype is embedded in Canada balsam on a histological glass slide. Our study revealed a set of additional aspects, including the delta-shaped retractor muscle of the head and the in-sunk ventral longitudinal cutaneous muscle which only agree with Choeradoplana. Our molecular data also support this conclusion. However, Ch. albonigra deviates from the genus in the body shape, since its anterior third narrows progressively towards the anterior extremity, with the latter also lacking the typical glandular cushions of Choeradoplana. Accordingly, the diagnosis of the genus is revised below.

Holotype MZUSP 2272 (field code, F3417), sexually mature: Floresta Nacional de São Francisco de Paula, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, (-29.43628, -50.37369). coll. F. Carbayo and co-workers, 22 January 2009; transverse sections of the cephalic region on 7 slides; horizontal sections of ovaries on 4 slides; transverse sections of the pre-pharyngeal region on 4 slides; sagittal sections of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 8 slides; the posterior extremity on 3 slides.

Only known from the type locality, Floresta Nacional de São Francisco de Paula, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

The specific epithet pays homage to the late Prof. Eudóxia Maria Froehlich, 21 October 1928 – 26 September 2015, for her insightful life lessons and lasting contribution to the knowledge of the neotropical planarian fauna for 60 years.

Choeradoplana species with pastel yellow back and brown fawn spots more concentrated in the paramedian region. Its anterior extremity has no lateral dilations or “neck” differentiating its head from its body. The ventral side of the cephalic region is concave, and without distinct glandular cushions. The extrabulbar portion of the prostatic vesicle has paired branches and an unpaired, roughly rounded section; the intrabulbar portion is a dilated vertical duct. Penis papilla is absent.

The live holotype measured 38 mm in length, and 1.5 mm in width. Preserved, it measured 27.5 mm in length and 2 mm in width. Its body is slender and subcylindrical, with the anterior 1/8 becoming progressively thinner towards the anterior tip. The anterior extremity is rounded and the posterior is pointed. The dorsal side is convex, while the ventral side is slightly convex. The anteriormost body portion is approximately five millimeters long and rolled up so that the ventral side is facing upwards (Fig. 10A–C). This ventral surface is concave, without distinct glandular cushions. This ventral surface is flat in the preserved holotype. Its creeping sole is as wide as 75.5% of body width at the pre-pharyngeal region. Its mouth is 14.5 mm (52.7% of body length) from the anterior extremity, and the gonopore is 16.8 mm (61.1%).

The dorsum background color of the body is pastel yellow (RAL 1034) with fawn brown (RAL 8007) spots (Fig. 10A–C); these spots are more densely distributed in the paramedian regions, some merged with each other. The ventral side is cream (Fig. 10D). The cephalic extremity is greyish dorsally and ventrally. The body color faded on the preserved holotype.

The eyes are one pigmented-cup type of 25–30 µm in diameter. There are no clear halos around them (Fig. 10C, D). Since the very anterior histological sections are lost, it could not be ascertained whether they occur in this body region. Posteriorly, the eyes are marginal along the body length.

Sensory pits are 17.0–22.5 µm deep, distributed ventro-laterally in a uniserial row from the anterior sections of the body (approximately 0.2 mm of the anteriormost body were lost) to 4.5 mm behind it.

Abundant rhabditogen cells open onto the dorsal surface of the body and its margins in the pre-pharyngeal region. The epithelium of the margins is also pierced by gland cells producing erythrophil granules (Fig. 11A, B). The ventral epithelium is pierced by three types of gland cells, namely scarce gland cells producing granules of dark, cyanophil secretion, gland cells producing cyanophil granules, and gland cells producing an erythrophil secretion. There is no glandular margin.

The cutaneous musculature consists of a subepithelial circular muscle, followed by a diagonal layer with decussate fibers, and a longitudinal muscle organized in bundles (Fig. 11A, B). This longitudinal muscle is 57.5 μm thick dorsally and arranged in bundles of 50–90 fibers each, whereas ventrally it is divided into a 30 μm-thick muscle of bundles (with 8–15 fibers each), and an insunk muscle with 70 μm-thick bundles (with 16–32 fibers each) (Fig. 11A). The thickness of the cutaneous muscle coat is 20% of the body height.

In the pre-pharyngeal region, the same parenchymal muscles as in Ch. iheringi, namely the dorsal decussate muscle (52–55 μm thick), transverse supra-intestinal muscle (20–22 μm); and transverse subintestinal muscle (12–15 μm) (Fig. 11A, B).

The muscle retractor of the head is delta-shaped in a cross-section along ~ 0.5 mm (or 1.8% of body length) starting from 0.1 mm behind the anterior extremity of the body (Fig. 11C, D), and its thickness equals 36% of the height of the cephalic region. The Muskelgeflecht is 32 μm thick (22% of body height). The subneural parenchymal muscle consists of a few transverse fibers. The glandular cushions are composed of a relatively small quantity of rhabditogen cells (Fig. 11C, D).

The central nervous system presents a ventral nerve plate (70–85 μm thick or 9–11% of body height) in the pre-pharyngeal region.

The mouth is located in the middle of the pharyngeal pouch (Fig. 12A). The pharynx is bell-shaped (Fig. 12B). An esophagus is absent. The outer pharyngeal epithelium is underlain by an 8 μm-thick longitudinal muscle, followed by a 15 μm-thick circular muscle. The inner pharyngeal epithelium is underlain by a circular muscle layer with longitudinal fibers interspersed (20 µm thick).

The testes are dorsal, 90–150 μm in diameter, located under the supra-intestinal transverse muscle layer, and partially placed between the intestinal diverticula. The anteriormost testes are located 0.9 mm anterior to the ovaries (or 21% of the body length); posteriormost near the root of the pharynx (49% of the body length). Sperm ducts run immediately above the subintestinal muscle layer, dorsally and slightly internal to the ovovitelline ducts. Distal portions of sperm ducts contain sperm and are surrounded by a 20 μm-thick circular muscle. These ducts communicate with the respective short branch of the prostatic vesicle (Fig. 12C, D). The paired branches run posteriorly. The extrabulbar portion of the prostatic vesicle consists of these paired branches and an unpaired, roughly rounded section with pleated wall receiving the branches. The intrabulbar portion of the prostatic vesicle is elongate and runs dorsally and posteriorly. The passage of the prostatic vesicle to the proximal region of the male atrium is narrowed by an annular fold (Fig. 12C, D). There is no ejaculatory duct, nor penis papilla. The penis bulb is very thick and consists of numerous muscle fibers which are continuous with those underlying the epithelium of the male atrium. The prostatic vesicle is lined with a columnar, ciliated epithelium underlain by a dense layer (20 μm thick) of interwoven circular and longitudinal muscle fibers. The epithelium of the diverticula and that of the anterior section of extrabulbar section of prostatic vesicle are pierced by numerous gland cells producing strong erythrophil (pinkish) granules. The epithelium of the posterior section of the extrabulbar portion is pierced by gland cells producing abundant erythrophil granules. Two types of gland cells pierce the epithelium of the intrabulbar portion of the vesicle; one type is very abundant, and produces cyanophil granules, while the second type produces erythrophil granules.

The male atrium is elongated. The proximal half is horizontal, slightly folded and narrow. The distal half is wider, and provided with two large transverse and oblique folds. The atrium is lined with a 7 μm high epithelium, and pierced by two types of gland cells producing erythrophil and cyanophil granules, respectively. The atrial epithelium is underlain by a 20 to 35 μm-thick circular muscle with longitudinal fibers intermingled (Figs 12D, 13A).

The ovaries are mature, rounded, ~ 100 µm in diameter. They are located 8.9 mm from the anterior extremity of the body (24.7 % of body length), and above the ventral nerve plate. The ovovitelline ducts emerge from the dorso-lateral aspect of the ovaries and run above the nerve plate; their proximal section contains sperm. Laterally to the female atrium, they rise posteriorly to unite dorsally to the common glandular ovovitelline duct (Fig. 13A, B). This common duct is located behind the female atrium, and runs downwards to open into a canalicular projection of the posterior section of the female atrium.

The female atrium is irregular, provided with two or three lateral and dorsal folds (Fig. 13). This atrium is as long as half the male atrium, and is lined with an 8–10 μm high epithelium, the cells of which are erythrophil in their subapical portion. This epithelium is pierced by gland cells producing cyanophil granules, and is underlain by a 10 µm-thick muscle of circular and longitudinal muscle fibers.

The common muscular coat is well developed and continuous with the penis bulb. This coat wraps the intrabulbar portion of the prostatic vesicle, and the male and female atria. The length:height ratio of the copulatory apparatus enveloped by the common muscle coat is 2.2:1.

When touched with a finger on the posterior end, the animal reacted by rolling forward. Firstly, it lifted its posterior extremity forward to touch the ground at the level of the midbody so that the body forms a loop. Next, the loop moved forwards until the anterior third of the body detached from the ground, which subsequently lengthened and touched the substrate. By doing so, the animal moved forward a distance equivalent to half its body length in approximately one second. It then immediately repeated this whole movement repeatedly.

The species described herein matches all diagnostic characteristics of Choeradoplana, except for the glandular cushions of the cephalic region, which are not developed. This is so notable that the species was initially assigned to Cephaloflexa upon examination of the live and preserved specimen. Regarding the body shape, Cephaloflexa is characterized by having “the anterior third very gradually narrowing, without constriction or widening and without grooves on the ventral surface. The anterior tip rolled upwards and is ventrally concave” (Carbayo and Leal-Zanchet 2003). Ch. albonigra is similar in this aspect to the genus Cephaloflexa and to Ch. eudoxiae Silva & Carbayo, sp. nov. Unfortunately, it was not possible to sequence DNA from the small tissue available of Ch. eudoxiae Silva & Carbayo, sp. nov., and the homology test of the particular body shape of these two species remains an open question.

The remaining diagnostic attributes of Choeradoplana are present in Ch. eudoxiae Silva & Carbayo, sp. nov., such as the ventral cutaneous longitudinal muscle partially sunken into the parenchyma; a retractor muscle of the cephalic extremity with a delta shape in transverse section; and a dorsal decussate parenchymatic muscle modified in the cephalic region into the Muskelgeflecht.

The body color of the Ch. eudoxiae Silva & Carbayo, sp. nov. resembles that of some congeners in the brownish background color with dark black or dark brown spots over it, namely Choeradoplana abaiba Carbayo et al., 2018, Ch. agua Carbayo et al., 2018, Ch. banga Carbayo & Froehlich, 2012, Ch. benyai Lemos & Leal-Zanchet, 2014, Ch. bocaina Carbayo & Froehlich, 2012, Ch. cyanoatria Iturralde & Leal-Zanchet, 2019, Ch. longivesicula Iturralde & Leal-Zanchet, 2019, Ch. pucupucu Carbayo et al., 2018, and the herein-described Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., Ch. riutortae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. and Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. However, the general aspect of Ch. eudoxiae is lighter. Moreover, only Ch. eudoxiae Silva & Carbayo, sp. nov. and Ch. albonigra lack the cephalic glandular cushions among all species of the genus, with the latter having a different, black-striped dorsum.

With respect to the internal morphology, Ch. eudoxiae Silva & Carbayo, sp. nov. is similar to Ch. albonigra, Ch. tristriata, Ch. bocaina, Ch. riutortae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., and Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. in that the prostatic vesicle is extrabulbar and it is lacking a penis papilla. However, in the latter four species an extrabulbar portion of the prostatic vesicle is dish-shaped, whereas this organ is pear-shaped (in Ch. eudoxiae Silva & Carbayo, sp. nov.) or has two short tubular branches (branches (with a pear-shaped organ) Ch. tristriata (paired tubes) and Ch. albonigra). Ch. eudoxiae sp. nov. is distinguished from Ch. tristriata in the relatively compact copulatory apparatus of the latter, and from Ch. albonigra in that the copulatory apparatus in this species is relatively longer, the paired portions of the prostatic vesicle are shorter, and the common glandular ovovitelline duct is relatively shorter.

Both specimens were collected in Reserva Biológica Augusto Ruschi, Santa Teresa, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil (-19.8891, -40.5459) by F. Carbayo and co-workers, May 27–29^th, 2008; Holotype MZUSP PL 1156 (field code, F2424), sexually mature: transverse sections of the cephalic region on 6 slides; horizontal sections of a portion behind the cephalic region on 4 slides; sagittal sections of the ovarian region on 4 slides; transverse sections of the pre-pharyngeal region on 4 slides; sagittal sections of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 11 slides. Paratype MZUSP PL 1157 (field code, F2510), sexually mature: sagittal sections of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 10 slides. The ovarian region was lost.

Only known from the type locality, Reserva Biológica Augusto Ruschi, Santa Teresa, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

The specific epithet honors Prof. Claudio Gilberto Froehlich for his contributions to the knowledge of the Neotropical land planarians.

Choeradoplana species with a golden yellow background color, with scattered sepia brown speckles on the whole dorsal surface, except for the anterior, greyish extremity. The extrabulbar portion of the prostatic vesicle is dish-like. The female genital atrium is compressed dorso-ventrally and partially positioned below the distal section of the male atrium.

Preserved specimens measure 24.0–36.5 mm in length and 2.5–3.0 mm in width (n = 2). The body is slender and subcylindrical. The cephalic region is differentiated from the remaining body by a ‘neck’, laterally dilated and rolled up so that the ventral surface provided with glandular cushions faces out; the posterior extremity is pointed. The creeping sole is as wide as 75% (F2424) of the body width at the pre-pharyngeal region. The mouth is positioned at a distance from the anterior extremity equal to 50% of the body length, and the gonopore is at 60%.

The dorsal coloration of the live specimens consists of a golden yellow (RAL 1004) background color, with scattered sepia brown (RAL 8014) speckles on the whole dorsal surface, except for the anterior, greyish extremity (Fig. 14A). The ventral coloration is golden yellow.

Its eyes are devoid of halos and are formed by a one-pigmented cup of 60 μm in diameter. Eyes are absent in the very anterior extremity of the body equivalent to more or less 1% of the body length. The eyes are distributed marginally in a row of two or three eyes along the first 4.5 mm (or 12% of body length), then they are arranged in a single marginal row until the posterior end.

The sensory pits are 15 µm deep, and are distributed ventro-laterally in a uniserial row, only starting at approximately the equivalent to 1% of body length. The ventral epithelium of the ovarian region was lost and sensory pits are absent in the pre-pharyngeal region.

The cutaneous musculature of the pre-pharyngeal region consists of a subepithelial circular muscle followed by a diagonal layer with decussate fibers, and a strong longitudinal muscle organized in bundles (Fig. 14B). This longitudinal muscle is 95 μm thick dorsally; it is ventrally divided into a 15 μm-thick muscle organized in bundles with 5–12 fibers each, and a 45 μm-thick muscle sunken into the parenchyma constituted of bundles with 6–17 fibers each. The thickness of the cutaneous muscle coat is 16% of the body height. (measurements from animal F2424 which has the best histological sections).

In the pre-pharyngeal region, a dorsal decussate muscle (25 μm thick), transverse supra-intestinal muscle (25 μm); and transverse subintestinal muscle (15 μm) (n = 1) (Fig. 14B).

The cutaneous and parenchymal musculature is organized in the cephalic region as in Ch. iheringi. The muscle retractor of the head is delta-shaped in a cross-section along 1.8 mm (or 5% of body length, F2424) from behind, 1.3 mm (or 4%, F2424) of the anterior extremity of the body (Fig. 14C), and its thickness equals 36% of the height of the cephalic region. The Muskelgeflecht is 190 μm thick (32% of body height). The subneural parenchymal muscle consists of scattered transverse fibers. The glandular cushions are composed of numerous rhabditogen cells (Fig. 14C).

The mouth is located in the middle of the pharyngeal pouch (Fig. 14D). The pharynx is cylindrical-to-bell-shaped, with its dorsal insertion approximately at the mouth level. An esophagus is absent. The pharyngeal pouch is lined with a non-ciliated, low epithelium underlain by a thin layer of circular muscle with interspersed longitudinal fibers (11–12 μm thick, n = 2). The outer pharyngeal epithelium is flat, ciliated and underlain by circular muscle (40–48 μm thick, n = 2) with interspersed longitudinal fibers ectally. The inner pharyngeal epithelium is flat, ciliated, and underlain by a thin circular muscle (48–50 μm, n = 2). The pharynx presents numerous xanthophil, erythrophil and cyanophil gland cells.

The testes are mature, dorsal, arranged in four paramedian rows between the supra-intestinal transverse parenchymal muscle and the intestinal diverticula (Fig. 14B). They extend from the level of the ovaries (i.e., 7.7 mm behind the anterior extremity of the body, or 21% of body length, holotype) to the root of the pharynx (48%). Sperm ducts run immediately above the subintestinal parechymatic muscle layer. In their distal portion, they open into the respective branch of the prostatic vesicle (Fig. 15A–C). The prostatic vesicle is divided into two differentiated halves (Fig. 15A–D). The proximal half is extrabulbar and constituted by the two widened and rounded branches opening into a broadened, dish-shaped section located above the paired portion. The distal half is intrabulbar, dilated canal oriented dorso-posteriorly. The paired portion is lined with a cuboidal-to-columnar, ciliated epithelium, which is pierced by numerous gland cells producing fine erythrophil granules. The columnar epithelium of the dish-shaped portion is pierced by very numerous gland cells producing erythrophil gross granules (1–2 μm); and by two types of scarce gland cells producing fine, erythrophil and xanthophil granules, respectively (Fig. 15D). The distal half is lined by a columnar, ciliated epithelium with a sinuous surface which is pierced by gland cells producing erythrophil granules along its whole length, and additionally a low number of gland cells producing xanthophil granules in its distal portion. The lining epithelium of the proximal half of the prostatic vesicle is coated by a 28–30 µm-thick (n = 2) circular muscle; the distal half is coated by a 1 µm-thick circular muscle, followed by a 22–25 µm-thick (n = 2) longitudinal muscle. The extrabulbar portion of the prostatic vesicle is coated by additional muscle fibers attaching it to the common muscle coat (Fig. 15A–C). The opening of the prostatic vesicle into the antero-dorsal region of the male atrium is wide, without an ejaculatory duct or penis papilla (Fig. 15A–C).

The male atrium is 5–6× longer than the female atrium, and divided into a dorsal, proximal narrow third, slightly folded, and a distal two-thirds portion with some smaller folds. A main, very large, oblique fold on each side of the body extends behind the gonopore level and over the female atrium (Fig. 15E). The male atrium is lined by a cuboidal, non-ciliated epithelium, and is underlain by a 30–60 µm-thick mixed layer of circular muscle with numerous interspersed longitudinal fibers (n = 2). The whole atrium receives two types of abundant gland cells producing erythrophil and cyanophil fine granules, respectively, and a third type of gland cells producing amorphous xanthophil secretion in the proximal third of the atrium.

The ovaries are mature, very elongated and placed above the ventral nerve plate at a distance from anterior tip of the body equal to 21% of body length (7.7 mm from anterior tip) (holotype). They present an anterior, ovoid section, 300 μm in length (F2424), and a posterior, 600 µm (F2424) long narrow section (Fig. 15E). Ovovitelline ducts emerge from the lateral aspect of the ovoid section of the ovaries and run ventrally. Lateral to the posterior section of the female atrium, the ovovitelline ducts run medially and dorsally, then unite posteriorly to the female atrium (Fig. 15C). The common glandular ovovitelline duct is 45–50 μm in length (n = 2) and runs ventro-anteriorly to communicate with the female genital canal. This canal runs slightly downwards and anteriorly, subsequently penetrates the common muscle coat to open into the female atrium. The female genital canal is lined by a cuboidal, ciliated epithelium.

The female atrium is dorso-ventrally compressed and wider towards the gonopore canal. It is placed below the posterior section of the male atrium (Fig. 15F), and is lined with a cuboidal non-ciliated epithelium. This epithelium is pierced by gland cells producing fine xanthophil granules. The lining epithelium of the female atrium is underlain by a 37 μm-thick layer of mixed circular and longitudinal muscle fibers (n = 2).

The common muscle coat is a very dense layer composed by variously oriented muscle fibers. The length:height ratio of the copulatory apparatus enveloped by the common muscle coat ranges between 2.5–2.8:1.

Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. externally differs from most congeners in that the dorsum is composed of a light background color evenly covered with brown spots. However, this color pattern is so similar to Ch. abaiba, Ch. agua, Ch. banga, Ch. iheringi, and Ch. pucupucu that Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. cannot be confidently distinguished from them.

With respect to the internal morphology, Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. can be differentiated from most Choeradoplana species by the dish-shaped portion of the extrabulbar region of the prostatic vesicle. This attribute is only shared with Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., Ch. riutortae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., and Ch. bocaina. However, the female genital atrium is compressed dorso-ventrally and partially positioned below the distal section of the male atrium, which readily distinguishes Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. from these three other species.

All specimens collected in the Reserva Biológica Augusto Ruschi, Santa Teresa, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil (-19.88, -40.54) by F. Carbayo and co-workers, 25–27 May 2008; Holotype MZUSP PL 2270 (field code, F2414), transverse sections of the cephalic region on 8 slides; horizontal sections of the portion behind the cephalic region on 5 slides; sagittal sections of the ovarian region on 12 slides; horizontal sections of the testes on 10 slides; transverse sections of the pre-pharyngeal region on 9 slides; sagittal sections of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 12 slides; Paratype MZUSP PL 2267 (field code, F2230), transverse sections of the cephalic region on 8 slides; sagittal sections of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 9 slides; Paratype MZUSP PL 2268 (field code, F2281), sagittal sections of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 12 slides. Paratype MZUSP PL 2269 (field code, F2310), transverse sections of the cephalic region on 12 slides; horizontal sections of the ovarian region on 8 slides.

Only known from the type locality, Reserva Biológica Augusto Ruschi, Santa Teresa, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

The name onae is the affectionate nickname of the biologist Marta Álvarez-Presas (Bristol University). The specific epithet honors her for her contributions to understanding the systematics of free-living flatworms.

Choeradoplana species with a light ivory background color and a wide sepia brown median band. The extrabulbar region of the prostatic vesicle has a dish-shaped portion. The copulatory apparatus is 3.8× longer than its height. The male atrium has 4–6 main folds.

External aspect. Preserved specimens range between 41–44.5 mm in length and 3–4 mm (n = 4) in width. The body is slender and subcylindrical. The cephalic region is differentiated from the remaining body by a ‘neck’ and laterally dilated. This region is rolled up so that the ventral surface provided with two prominent glandular cushions is facing out when alive (Fig. 16A–C); the posterior extremity is pointed. The creeping sole is as wide as 85–87% of body width at the pre-pharyngeal region (n = 4). The mouth is positioned at a distance from the anterior extremity equal to 51% of body length, and the gonopore is 61% (paratype F2230).

The dorsal coloration of live specimens consists of a light ivory (RAL 1015) background color (Fig. 16A), covered on a wide median band with sepia brown pigment (RAL 8014), except for irregular clear spots with the background color exposed. The bordering line of the band merging with the background color on the sides is irregular with large sepia brown spots. The curled anterior extremity is red orange (RAL 2001). The ventral surface is red orange in the cephalic region, and light grey (RAL 7035) in the rest of body (Fig. 16B).

The eyes are devoid of halos, and formed by a one-pigmented cup of 60 μm in diameter. Eyes are absent in the very anterior extremity of the body equivalent to 1% of the body length (n = 1). Eyes behind the anterior tip are distributed marginally in a row of two or three eyes (Fig. 5C) and extend along the entire body until the posterior end.

Sensory pits are 20–25 µm deep in a uniserial ventro-lateral row, starting from 0.4 mm behind the anterior extremity, the equivalent of 1% body length to at least 80 mm from the anterior tip (20% of body length, n = 1).

Rhabditogen gland cells pierce the marginal epidermis in the pre-pharyngeal region. Erythrophil granules and scarce cyanophil granules are discharged through the entire epidermis. There is no glandular margin (Fig. 16D).

The cutaneous musculature consists of a subepithelial circular muscle, followed by a diagonal layer with decussate fibers, and a strong longitudinal muscle organized in bundles (Fig. 16D). This longitudinal muscle is 90–100 μm thick dorsally, and organized in tight bundles with > 32–60 fibers each; it is ventrally divided into a 30–32.5 μm-thick muscle organized in bundles with 5–11 fibers each, and a 75 μm-thick muscle sunken into the parenchyma, and constituted of bundles with 8–27 fibers each (Fig. 16D). The thickness of the cutaneous muscle coat is 18–20% (n = 4) of the body height.

In the pre-pharyngeal region, there are three parenchymal muscles, namely a dorsal decussate muscle (40–50 μm thick), a transverse supra-intestinal muscle (15 μm); and transverse subintestinal muscle (18–20 μm) (n = 4) (Fig. 16D).

The cutaneous and parenchymal musculature is organized in the cephalic region as in Ch. iheringi. The muscle retractor of the head is delta-shaped in a cross-section along 2.5 mm (or 6% of body length) from behind, 0.9 mm (or 2%) anterior extremity of the body (Fig. 16E), and its thickness equals 19% of the height of the cephalic region. The Muskelgeflecht is 160–180 μm thick (23% of body height). The subneural parenchymal muscle consists of a number of transverse fibers; this muscle is weak in the ovarian region. Glandular cushions are composed of numerous rhabditogen cells (Fig. 16E).

The mouth is located in the middle of the pharyngeal pouch (n = 4) (Fig. 17A, B). The pharynx is bell-shaped with its dorsal insertion at mouth level (n = 4). The esophagus is as long as 15% of the pharyngeal length. The pharyngeal pouch is lined with a non-ciliated, low epithelium underlain by a one-fiber thick longitudinal muscle followed by a 10 µm-thick circular muscle. The outer pharyngeal epithelium is flat, ciliated, and underlain by a 5 µm-thick longitudinal muscle followed by a 15 µm-thick circular muscle. The inner pharyngeal epithelium is flat and ciliated, and is underlain by a mixed circular muscle with longitudinal fibers (80 μm thick). The pharynx has numerous interspersed erythrophil and xanthophil gland cells.

The testes are mature, dorsally located under the supra-intestinal transverse parenchymal muscle, placed between the intestinal diverticula. They extend from 13.2 mm (32% of body length, holotype) from the anterior extremity to 0.2 mm of the root of the pharynx (63%, holotype). Sperm ducts bend dorsally and medially immediately above the subintestinal parechymatic muscle layer to open into the respective dilated branch of the prostatic vesicle. The prostatic vesicle is divided into two halves (Fig. 17C). The anterior half is extrabulbar and proximally presents a dilated and paired tubular portion oriented vertically which opens into a broadened, dish-shaped section located above the paired portion. This proximal half is lined by a columnar-to-cuboidal epithelium that is pierced by gland cells producing xanthophil granules. These gland cells are much more abundant in the dish-shaped portion and present a strongly reddish appearance; the ventral face and the border of this dish-shaped section of the prostatic vesicle is also pierced by gland cells producing cyanophil granules. The distal half is an intrabulbar dilated canal oriented dorso-posteriorly. It is lined by a columnar epithelium with a sinuous surface that is pierced by gland cells producing cyanophil granules along its whole length and additionally gland cells producing xanthophil granules in its distal portion. The lining epithelium of the proximal half of prostatic vesicle is coated by an 18–20 µm-thick circular muscle layer, while it is coated by a 1 µm-thick circular muscle in the distal half, followed by a 15 µm-thick longitudinal muscle (n = 4). The extrabulbar portion of the prostatic vesicle is coated by additional muscle fibers attaching it to the common muscle coat (Fig. 17D). The opening of the prostatic vesicle into the antero-dorsal region of the male atrium is wide, without an ejaculatory duct or penis papilla (Fig. 18A–C).

The male atrium is long, 5× as long as the female atrium, with the same height along its length and 4–6 large transverse folds narrowing its lumen. The male atrium is lined by a cuboidal, non-ciliated epithelium, and is underlain by a 40–70 µm-thick circular muscle with numerous interspersed longitudinal fibers (n = 4). The proximal two thirds of the atrium receive two types of abundant gland cells producing xanthophil and erythrophil granules, respectively, and a third type of scarce gland cells producing amorphous xanthophil secretion; the distal third of the male atrium receives abundant gland cells producing erythrophil granules. The sub-apical portion of the cells of the lining epithelium of this distal third contains xanthophil granules.

The ovaries are mature, ovoid, 250 μm in length, placed above the ventral nerve plate and at a distance from the anterior tip of the body equal to 28% of body length (11.8 mm from the anterior tip) (n = 1). Ovovitelline ducts emerge from the dorso-lateral aspect of the ovaries and run ventrally. Ovovitelline ducts run medially and dorsally lateral to the posterior section of the female atrium, then unite above the postero-dorsal section of the female atrium (Fig. 18A–C). The common glandular ovovitelline duct length ranges between 25–150 µm in length (n = 4) and runs ventrally or ventro-posteriorly to communicate with the female genital canal. This canal runs downwards, and subsequently penetrates the common muscle coat to open into the posterior section of the female atrium. The genital canal is lined by a cuboidal, ciliated epithelium, and the sub-apical portion of its lining cells is stained reddish.

The female atrium is funnel-shaped, and is lined with a 50 µm high epithelium, which is pierced by gland cells producing fine erythrophil granules. The subapical portion of the lining cells contains xanthophil granules. The lining epithelium of the female atrium is underlain by a 1-fiber-thick longitudinal muscle, followed by a 10 µm-thick layer of decussate muscle fibers. Paratype F2281 presents a female atrium smaller than that of the remaining specimens and also bears a spermatophore at the entrance of the gonopore canal. This spermatophore is ovoid, and with approximately 100 µm in maximum diameter. It is constituted on an inner mass of sperm surrounded by a thin fibrous, erythrophil layer, external to which is a gross layer of xanthophil, granular secretion and a bluish fine granular secretion, each prevailing on one side of the spermatophore (Fig. 18D).

The common muscle coat is a very dense layer composed by variously oriented muscle fibers. The length:height ratio of the copulatory apparatus enveloped by the common muscle coat ranges between 2.5–3.3:1 (n = 3).

The species described herein matches all diagnostic characteristics of Choeradoplana. As reported for Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. only resembles Ch. abaiba, Ch. agua, Ch. banga, Ch. iheringi, Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., and Ch. pucupucu in the body color. The great similarity between them hinders confident identification. However, none of them present the prominent cushions found in this species with a red-orange color.

With respect to the internal morphology, Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. only compares with Ch. riutortae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. and Ch. bocaina in that they also present a dish-shaped prostatic vesicle. However, the length:height ratio of the copulatory apparatus in these species is 2.6:1 (vs. 3.8:1 in Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov.); the male atrium:female atrium ratio in Ch. bocaina and Ch. riutortae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. ratio ranges between 1:1–3:1 (Carbayo & E. M. Froehlich, 2012), whereas it is ~5:1 in Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. and Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., and the male atrium presents 1–2 large folds (vs. 4–6 in Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov.).

All specimens were collected in the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Orgãos, Teresópolis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (-22.48, -43.06) by F. Carbayo and co-workers, January 6^th, 2010. Holotype MZUSP 2274 (field code, F4218), transverse sections of the cephalic region on 5 slides; horizontal sections of the portion behind the cephalic region on 6 slides; sagittal sections of ovarian region on 6 slides; horizontal sections of the testes on 4 slides; transverse sections of the pre-pharyngeal region on 7 slides; sagittal sections of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 9 slides. Paratype MZUSP PL 1174 (field code, F4217), transverse sections of the cephalic region on 9 slides; horizontal sections of the ovarian region on 7 slides; transverse sections of the pre-pharyngeal region on 8 slides; sagittal sections of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 12 slides. Paratype MZUSP PL 2275 (field code, F4261), transverse sections of the pre-pharyngeal region on 16 slides; sagittal sections of the pharynx and copulatory apparatus on 27 slides.

Only known from the type locality, Parque Nacional da Serra dos Orgãos, municipality of Teresópolis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The specific epithet honors Prof. Marta Riutort for her contributions to understanding the evolution of flatworms.

Choeradoplana species with a light ivory background color covered by numerous sepia brown spots except for the anterior extremity which is red orange. The ventral surface is pale orange in the cephalic region, and light grey in the rest of the body. Part of the longitudinal cutaneous musculature is sunken in the parenchyma of the ventral side. The prostatic vesicle has a paired extrabulbar dish-shaped portion, and an elongated intrabulbar portion with an irregular epithelium. It has a short copulatory apparatus (the length:height ratio of the copulatory apparatus is 2.6:1). The male atrium presents the same size as the female atrium.

The preserved animals measure between 37–42 mm in length and 2.5–3 mm in width (n = 3). The body is slender and subcylindrical. The cephalic region is differentiated from the remaining body by a ‘neck’, laterally dilated and rolled up so that the ventral surface, provided with prominent glandular cushions, is facing out (Fig. 19A–C); the posterior extremity is pointed. The creeping sole is as wide as 72–75% of body width in the pre-pharyngeal region (n = 3). The mouth is positioned at a distance from the anterior extremity equal to 63–67% of body length, and the gonopore is 72–78% (n = 3).

The dorsal coloration in live specimens consists of a light ivory (RAL 1015) background color, with numerous sepia brown (RAL 8014) spots which are more (F4218) or less (F4217) merged with each other, with the latter situation presenting a somewhat homogeneous aspect. A midline with the background color may extend along the body length (paratype F4217) or is restricted to the anterior region of the body (paratype F4261). The spots extend to the body sides, where they are scattered so as to create an irregular bordering line, followed by the background color of the sides of the body. A curled anterior extremity is red orange (RAL 2001). The ventral surface is pale red orange in the cephalic region, and light grey (RAL 7035) in the rest of the body (Fig. 19B).

The eyes are formed by a one-pigmented cup of 46–50 μm in diameter. There are no halos around them. Eyes are absent in the very anterior extremity of the body equivalent to 1% of the body length (F4218). Eyes behind the anterior tip are distributed marginally in a row of two or three eyes and extend along the entire body until the posterior extremity.

Sensory pits are 15 μm deep, distributed ventro-laterally in a uniserial row initiating 0.3 mm behind the anterior extremity (the equivalent of 1% of the body length in paratype F4217), and from the very anterior tip in holotype.

In the pre-pharyngeal region, very abundant rhabditogen gland cells pierce the dorsal and marginal epidermis. These types of cells are scarce on the ventral epidermis; instead, there are gland cells producing erythrophil granules and scarce gland cells secreting cyanophil granules. There is no glandular margin (Fig. 19D).

The cutaneous musculature of the pre-pharyngeal region consists of a subepithelial circular muscle, followed by a diagonal layer with decussate fibers, and a longitudinal muscle organized in bundles (Fig. 19D). This longitudinal muscle is 80–100 μm-thick dorsally and organized in tight bundles with approximately 60–110 fibers each; it is ventrally divided into a 28–30 μm-thick muscle organized in bundles with 10–27 fibers each, and a 55–65 μm-thick muscle sunken into the parenchyma and constituted of bundles with 18–40 fibers each (Fig. 19D). The thickness of the cutaneous muscle coat is 22–25% (n = 3) of the body height. There are three parenchymal muscles in the pre-pharyngeal region, namely a dorsal decussate muscle (46–50 μm thick), transverse supra-intestinal muscle (25–30 μm), and transverse subintestinal muscle (70–75 μm) (n = 3) (Fig. 19D).

The cutaneous and parenchymal musculature is organized in the cephalic region as in Ch. iheringi. A portion of the retractor muscle of the head is delta-shaped in a cross-section and ranges between 2–5 mm (or 5–14% of body length) from behind, 1–1.3 mm (2–3%) of the anterior extremity of the body (Fig. 19E), and its thickness equals 36% of the height of the cephalic region. The Muskelgeflecht is 200–210 μm thick (30% of body height). The subneural parenchymal muscle consists of transverse fibers. Glandular cushions are composed of very numerous rhabditogen cells and scarce gland cells produce erythrophil granules (Fig. 19E).

The mouth is located in the middle of the pharyngeal pouch (n = 3) (Fig. 20A). The pharynx is bell-shaped, and has its dorsal insertion shifted posteriorly with the equivalent to 44% of the pharynx length. The esophagus length is 20% of the pharyngeal length. The pharyngeal pouch is lined with a non-ciliated, low epithelium underlain by a one-fiber-thick layer of longitudinal muscle followed by 20 µm-thick layer of circular muscle. The outer pharyngeal epithelium is flat, ciliated, and underlain by a one-fiber-thick longitudinal muscle, followed by a 15 µm-thick muscle with some longitudinal fibers interspersed. The inner pharyngeal epithelium is flat, ciliated, and underlain by a mixed layer of circular muscle with longitudinal muscle (75 μm thick). The pharynx presents numerous erythrophil and xanthophil gland cells interspersed.

The testes are mature and dorsally located under the supra-intestinal transverse muscle layer, mostly placed between the intestinal diverticula. They extend from 12.7 mm (30% of body length, holotype) of the anterior extremity of the body to 0.5 mm before the root of the pharynx. Sperm ducts run immediately above the subintestinal parechymatic muscle layer. The sperm ducts bend dorsally close to the copulatory apparatus, and subsequently penetrate the ventral proximal region of the common muscle coat to open into the respective dilated branch of the prostatic vesicle (Fig. 20B). The prostatic vesicle is divided into two differentiated halves; the anterior half proximally presents a dilated and paired portion oriented vertically which opens into a broadened, dish-shaped section located above the paired portion (Figs 20B, 21A, B). This proximal half is extrabulbar and lined by a columnar-to-cuboidal epithelium which is pierced by gland cells producing xanthophil granules. These gland cells are much more abundant in the dish-shaped portion, and present a reddish appearance; the border of this dish-shaped section of the prostatic vesicle is also pierced by gland cells producing cyanophil granules. The distal half is intrabulbar, and is a straight tube running postero-dorsally to open into the proximal region of the male atrium. This half is lined by a columnar epithelium with a sinuous surface which is pierced along its whole length by gland cells producing cyanophil granules; additionally, gland cells producing xanthophil granules pierce its distal portion. The lining epithelium of the proximal half of the prostatic vesicle is coated by a 20 μm-thick circular muscle; the distal half is coated by a 1 µm-thick circular muscle, followed by a 15 µm-thick longitudinal muscle. The male atrium is the same size as the female atrium, and is divided into a proximal, narrow half and a distal, dilated half with some small folds (Figs 21, 22).

The male atrium is lined by a cuboidal, non-ciliated epithelium, and underlain by a 45–80 µm-thick layer of circular muscle with numerous interspersed longitudinal fibers (n = 3). The proximal half of the atrium receives two types of gland cells, one producing erythrophil granules, and a second type of scarce gland cells producing xanthophil granules; the distal half of the male atrium receives abundant gland cells producing xanthophil granules and the sub-apical portion of the cells of the lining epithelium contains xanthophil granules. The extrabulbar portion of the prostatic vesicle is coated by additional muscle fibers attaching it to the common muscle coat (Figs 21, 22).

The ovaries are mature, ovoid, 190 μm in length, and placed above the ventral nerve plate, and at a distance from the anterior body tip equal to 27% of body length (11.5 mm from anterior tip) (holotype). Ovovitelline ducts emerge from the dorso-lateral aspect of the ovaries and run above the ventral nerve plate. Lateral to the female atrium, the ovovitelline ducts bend medially and dorsally, then unite above the postero-dorsal section of the female atrium (Figs 21, 22). The common glandular ovovitelline duct is outside the common muscle coat, and runs posteriorly, progressively inclining to the ventral side to communicate with the posterior section of the female atrium.

The female atrium is divided into a dilated canal running ventro-anteriorly and outside the common muscle coat, and a distal, funnel-shaped half is widely communicated with the male atrium (Figs 21, 22). The female atrium is lined with a 35 µm high epithelium. This epithelium is pierced by gland cells producing fine erythrophil granules. The subapical portion of lining cells of the distal half of the atrium contains xanthophil granules. The lining epithelium of the female atrium is underlain by a layer of mixed circular and longitudinal fibers 10 µm high.

The common muscle coat is a very dense layer composed by densely packed muscle fibers variously oriented (Figs 21, 22). The length:height ratio of the copulatory apparatus enveloped by the common muscle coat ranges between 2.2–2.7:1 (n = 3).

Choeradoplana riutortae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. matches all diagnostic characteristics of Choeradoplana. The external dorsal coloration resembles 11 species inside the genus with the background color being brownish with dark black or dark brown spots over it, namely Choeradoplana abaiba, Ch. agua, Ch. banga, Ch. benyai, Ch. bocaina, Ch. cyanoatria, Ch. longivesicula, Ch. pucupucu, and the herein described Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., Ch. eudoxiae Silva & Carbayo, sp. nov. and Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. However, none of them present the prominent cushions found in this species, nor the conspicuous red-orange coloration of the cephalic region.

With respect to the internal morphology, Ch. riutortae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. is only similar to Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov., Ch. bocaina and Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. in that the extrabulbar section of the prostatic vesicle is dish-shaped. However, the female atrium in Ch. claudioi Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. is partially below the male one (vs. behind, in Ch. riutortae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov.), whereas the male atrium in Ch. onae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov. has the same height along its length, (vs. a proximal, narrow half, and a distal, widened half). Finally, the male atrium in Ch. bocaina is 3× as long as the female, whereas this ratio is 1.2 in Ch. riutortae Lago-Barcia & Carbayo, sp. nov.